Easy loading gun magazine

ABSTRACT

A gun magazine is provided having a magazine frame, a magazine base, a magazine follower located inside the magazine frame, a spring element located inside the magazine frame and configured to engage the magazine base and the magazine follower, and a pull element, such as a braided metal cord, coupled to the underside of the magazine follower and extending through an opening in the magazine base. A keeper element is attached to an intermediate location of the pull element, and a grip element is coupled to an end of the pull element, outside of the magazine frame. The grip element is grasped and pulled downward, thereby moving the magazine follower down in the magazine frame. The keeper element passes through a wide section of the opening and is then engaged with a narrow section of the opening, thereby holding the magazine follower near the bottom of the magazine frame.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved system and method for loading cartridges into a gun magazine.

RELATED ART

FIG. 1 is a right-side diagram of a conventional gun magazine 100, which includes magazine frame 101 and magazine end cap 120. FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D are front, back, top and bottom diagrams of gun magazine 100, respectively, along view lines A, B, C and D, respectively, of FIG. 1. FIG. 2E is a left-side diagram of gun magazine 100. A magazine follower and a magazine spring, which are located inside magazine frame 101, are part of gun magazine 100, but are not shown in FIG. 1 or 2A-2E for purposes of clarity.

Magazine frame 101 is typically a metal structure that includes a cavity 130, which is dimensioned to closely receive a plurality of cartridges. As known to those of ordinary skill, a cartridge typically includes a bullet (or slug), a casing, and gunpowder. The cavity 130 is defined by right sidewall 102, left sidewall 103, back wall 104, rounded front wall 105, and magazine base 106 (which is shown as a horizontal dashed line). Magazine base 106 can be integrally formed with magazine frame 101. Alternately, magazine base 106 can be a separate element, which is held in place by magazine end cap 120. Right and left sidewalls 102 and 103 are flat and substantially parallel. Back wall 104 is flat and connects the rear edges of the right and left sidewalls 102 and 103. Rounded front wall 105 joins the front edges of the right and left sidewalls 102 and 103. In FIGS. 1 and 2A-2E, magazine base 106 is a separate metal piece that is located in the opening located at the bottom of left and right sidewalls 102 and 103, back wall 104 and rounded front wall 105 at the bottom of cavity 130. The cross-section of cavity 130, as generally illustrated in FIG. 2C is shaped to closely receive one or more cartridges. The right and left sidewalls 102 and 103 each include circular holes, which are used to provide a visual indication the number of cartridges stored in gun magazine 100.

Flanges 111 and 112 are located at the top rear edges of right sidewall 102 and left sidewall 103, respectively. As described in more detail below, these flanges 111-112 bend inward toward cavity 130 and are used to hold cartridges in place within gun magazine 100.

Magazine end cap 120 is a solid element that is permanently or semi-permanently attached to the bottom of magazine frame 101. For example, magazine end cap 120 may be slid onto flanges formed at the bottom of magazine frame 101. Magazine end cap 120 holds magazine base 106 in place at the bottom of magazine frame 101. Magazine end cap 120 is typically made of plastic.

FIG. 3A is a right-side diagram of gun magazine 100 that illustrates magazine spring element 201 and magazine follower 205, which are located inside cavity 130 of magazine frame 101. The cartridge numbers are not shown on right sidewall 102 in FIG. 3A for reasons of clarity. The upper end of spring element 201 engages the underside of magazine follower 205, and the lower end of spring element 201 engages magazine base 106 (which is held in place by magazine end cap 120). Spring element 201 typically has a coiled (spiral) configuration within cavity 130.

Spring element 201 is under compression in the view of FIG. 3A, such that magazine follower 205 is forced upward into contact with flanges 111 and 112. A cartridge is manually loaded into gun magazine 100 as follows. The person loading gun magazine 100 typically grabs magazine frame 101 with one hand and holds a cartridge in the other hand. The person then manually presses the cylindrically-shaped sidewall of the cartridge down onto magazine follower 205. The cartridge and magazine follower 205 are moved downward against the force introduced by spring element 201 until the cartridge is located substantially within cavity 130 and a gap exists between the upper surface of the cartridge and the lower surfaces of flanges 111-112. At this time, the cartridge is slid back into the gap while maintaining downward pressure on the cartridge. At this time, the downward pressure on the cartridge may be released such that spring element 201 forces magazine follower 205 and the cartridge upward, thereby forcing the cartridge into engagement with flanges 111-112. The next cartridge is manually loaded on top of the first cartridge in the same manner.

FIG. 3B is a right-side diagram that illustrates eight cartridges 211-218 loaded in gun magazine 100. As illustrated, spring element 201 is forced into a state of high compression by cartridges 211-218.

The conventional method for loading gun magazine 100 is both difficult and time-consuming. A person loading gun magazine 100 will typically experience tired and/or cramped fingers after repeated loading operations.

After the loading process is complete, gun magazine 100 is inserted into the magazine well of a corresponding gun. The magazine well is dimensioned to closely receive gun magazine 100. Gun magazine 100 is inserted into the magazine well of the corresponding gun by pushing the gun magazine fully up into the magazine well until a magazine catch located in the magazine well clicks, thereby indicating that the gun magazine has been locked into place. At this time, the bullet tip of each cartridge in gun magazine 100 is pointed forward and in proper position to be introduced into the chamber of the gun. Because gun magazine 100 is sized to fit closely into the magazine well of the corresponding gun, and the gun magazine is sized to closely receive the cartridges, there is not much space available to mechanically modify the loading mechanism while maintaining the above-described functionality.

FIG. 4 is a right-side diagram that illustrates another conventional gun magazine 400. Similar items in gun magazine 400 and gun magazine 100 are labeled with similar reference numbers. In addition to the above-described elements of gun magazine 100, gun magazine 400 additionally includes a knob element 401 fixedly attached to the underside of magazine follower 205. Knob element 401 extends through a slot 402 formed along the height of magazine frame 101. A person loading gun magazine 400 may press downward on knob element 401, thereby moving magazine follower 205 down into cavity 130 and making it easier to insert cartridges into cavity 130. However, continuous pressure must be applied to knob element 401 to move and maintain magazine follower within cavity 130. Manipulating knob element 401 may result in discomfort in the user's fingers. Moreover, because knob element 401 extends outside of magazine frame 101, it is necessary to have a groove formed in the magazine well of the corresponding gun to receive this knob element 401. In addition, knob element 401 is only practical for use in smaller caliber gun magazines (e.g., .22 caliber), because only relatively small spring elements can be effectively compressed using knob element 401.

Gun magazine 100 can also be loaded by a separate external device that attaches to magazine frame 101. This device loads a cartridge into gun magazine 100 in response to pulling a trigger mechanism that engages a plunger to push the cartridge down into the magazine. However, a squeezing motion must be performed to load each cartridge into the magazine. Also, when the device is separated from the magazine frame, the device is easy to misplace or drop. The device may also engage magazine frame 101 improperly, thereby leading to difficulty in loading the magazine.

It would therefore be desirable to have an improved method and system for loading cartridges into gun magazine 100. It would further be desirable for this improved method and system to eliminate the need to load cartridges against the force of spring element 201. It would further be desirable for this improved method and system to be consistent with conventional guns and gun magazines such that the improved method and system does not require modification to the gun and requires only minor modification to the gun magazine. It would further be desirable for the modification to the gun magazine to be a simple and inexpensive process. It would further be desirable if the modification to the gun magazine does not significantly effect the weight of the gun magazine. It would further be desirable if the improved method and system can be implemented for both large and small caliber guns.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the present invention provides a gun magazine having a magazine frame, a magazine base, a magazine follower located inside the magazine frame, a spring element located inside the magazine frame and configured to engage the magazine base and the magazine follower, and a pull element, such as a braided metal cord, coupled to the underside of the magazine follower and extending through an opening in the magazine base. A keeper element, such as a metal bead, is coupled to an intermediate location of the pull element. A grip element, such as a D-ring, is coupled to an end of the pull element outside of the magazine frame.

The grip element is grasped and pulled downward, thereby moving the magazine follower down in the magazine cavity. The grip element is manipulated such that the keeper element passes through a wide section of the opening in the magazine base, such that the keeper element is located outside of the magazine frame. The grip element is further manipulated to move the keeper element over a narrow section of the opening in the magazine base. The grip element is then released, such that the keeper element engages the narrow section of the opening in the magazine base. At this time, the magazine follower is mechanically held at a location near the bottom of the magazine frame.

Cartridges may easily be loaded (i.e., dropped) into the gun magazine while the magazine follower is mechanically held near the bottom of the magazine frame. After the cartridges have been loaded, the grip element is pulled to remove the keeper element from the narrow section of the opening in the magazine base. The grip element is then manipulated to move the keeper element over the wide section of the opening in the magazine base. The grip element is then released, such that the spring element forces the keeper element to pass through the wide section of the opening in the magazine base and into the magazine cavity. At this time, the spring element forces the magazine follower upward, thereby moving the cartridges into the desired engagement with the upper portion of the gun magazine.

The present invention will be more fully understood in view of the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a right-side diagram of a conventional gun magazine.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D are front, back, top and bottom diagrams, respectively, along view lines A, B, C and D, respectively, of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2E is a left-side diagram of the gun magazine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a right-side diagram of the gun magazine of FIG. 1, illustrating a spring element and a magazine follower.

FIG. 3B is a right-side diagram illustrating eight cartridges loaded in the gun magazine of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is a right-side diagram of another conventional gun magazine.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E and 5F are right-side views of a gun magazine in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the gun magazine of FIGS. 5A-5F in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a connector element in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are right-side and back-side views, respectively, of a gun magazine in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a conventional cartridge, which clearly shows a cartridge rim and an adjacent recessed region.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 5A is a right-side view of a gun magazine 500 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with one embodiment, gun magazine 500 can be implemented by modifying a conventional gun magazine (e.g., gun magazine 100). Thus, similar elements in FIGS. 1, 2A-2E, and 3A-3B and FIG. 5A are labeled with similar reference numbers. Thus, gun magazine 500 includes magazine frame 101 (which includes cavity 130 defined by left and right sidewalls 102-103, back wall 104, rounded front wall 105, magazine base 106, and flanges 111-112), magazine end cap 120, magazine spring 201 and magazine follower 205. Magazine base 106 may be attached to the bottom of magazine frame 101. Alternately, magazine base 106 may be a separate element, which is held in place by magazine end cap 120. In addition, gun magazine 500 includes a pull element 501. Pull element 501 can have various shapes and compositions. In one embodiment, pull element 501 is a braided metal (steel) wire having a substantially circular cross section. In the described examples, pull element 501 may have a diameter of about {fraction (1/16)} of an inch. In other embodiments, pull element 501 can be formed of other types of wires or cords. Alternately, pull element 501 can be a strip having a substantially rectangular cross section. In general, pull element 501 is an elongated structure having sufficient tensile strength to pull against the force of spring 201 without experiencing excessive deformation.

One end of pull element 501 is coupled to the underside of magazine follower 205 by a connector 504. In accordance with one embodiment, pull element 501 is soldered, welded or otherwise adhered to the underside of magazine follower 205 (e.g., connector 504 may include solder or adhesive). Connector 504 must be strong enough to hold pull element 501 to magazine follower 504 while pull element 501 is pulled against the force of spring 201.

An opening 600 is formed through magazine base 106 and magazine end cap 120. FIG. 6 is a bottom view of magazine base 106 and magazine end cap 120, which illustrates opening 600 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, opening 600 includes a first circular opening 601 and a second circular opening 602 joined by a rectangular slot 603. The diameter of the first circular opening 601 is larger than the diameter of the second circular opening for reasons that will become apparent in view of the following disclosure. In the described embodiment, first opening 601 has a diameter of about {fraction (3/16)} of an inch, second opening 602 has a diameter of about ⅛ of an inch, and slot 603 has a width of about {fraction (5/64)} of an inch. In other embodiments, slot 603 may be eliminated and the first and second openings 601 and 602 may slightly overlap. In yet other embodiments, opening 600 can have other shapes and sizes.

The second end of pull element 501 extends through opening 600. The cross sectional width of pull element 501 is selected to be thinner than the widths of first opening 601, second opening 602 and slot 603, such that pull element 501 may move freely through all portions of opening 600. The second end of pull element 501 is attached to a grip element 503. Grip element 503 may be any element that may be readily grasped by a human hand.

In the described embodiment, grip element 503 is a metal D-shaped ring that is welded, soldered or otherwise adhered to the second end of pull element 501. D-shaped grip element 503 has a central opening 503A, which is sized to receive one or more fingers of a person loading gun magazine 500. In other embodiments, grip element 503 may have other shapes. For example, grip element 503 may be a circular ring element, or a 3-dimensional element, such as a sphere or a rectangular block. Grip element 503 may be made of various materials, such as metal or plastic. Grip element 503 may be permanently or reversibly coupled to the second end of pull element 501.

Within magazine frame 101, pull element 501 extends through the central region of coiled magazine spring element 201. A keeper element 502 is attached to pull element 501 at an intermediate location, between the first and second ends. The exact placement of keeper element 502 along pull element 501 is described in more detail below. In the described embodiments, keeper element 502 is a circular metal bead that is soldered, welded or otherwise adhered to pull element 501. In other embodiments, keeper element 502 may be crimped onto pull element 501. Regardless of the method of attachment, keeper element 502 must be attached to pull element 501 such that keeper element 502 does not move along the length of pull element 501. Keeper element 502 has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the first opening 601, but larger than the diameter of the second opening 602. For example, keeper element 502 may have a diameter of about {fraction (5/32)} of an inch. In other embodiments, keeper element 502 may have other shapes, dimensions or compositions consistent with the above description.

FIGS. 5B-5F are right-side views of gun magazine 500 illustrating the manner in which this gun magazine is loaded. Turning first to FIG. 5B, a person loading gun magazine 500 may grasp magazine frame 101 with one hand and grip element 503 with the other hand. The user exerts a force (F1) on grip element 503 relative to magazine frame 101, such that magazine follower 205 is moved downward into cavity 130, thereby compressing spring 201. Grip element 503 is manipulated such that keeper element 502 is pulled through first opening 601.

Turning now to FIG. 5C, after keeper element is pulled through first opening 601, the user exerts a lateral force (F2) on grip element 503 relative to magazine frame 101, such that keeper element 502 swings to a position over second opening 602. Pull element 501 moves within opening 600 during this step.

As illustrated in FIG. 5D, grip element 503 is released while keeper element 502 is located over second opening 602. As a result, keeper element 502 engages second opening 602, thereby holding spring 201 in a compressed state.

As illustrated in FIG. 5E, eight cartridges 211-218 are loaded into cavity 130 while spring 201 is held in the compressed state. Note that cartridges 211-218 may simply be dropped into cavity 130. Thus, there are no strenuous physical requirements for loading the cartridges into gun magazine 500. During loading, cartridges 211-218 should be closely monitored to ensure the proper alignment of these cartridges within cavity. When cartridges 211-218 have been loaded into gun magazine 500, a small gap 550 exists between the top of the uppermost cartridge 211 and flanges 111-112. Note that other numbers of cartridges can be loaded into cavity 130 in other embodiments of the present invention.

After cartridges 211-218 have been loaded, the steps depicted by FIGS. 5A-5D are performed in reverse order. More specifically, grip element 503 is pulled such that keeper element 502 disengages from second opening 602. Grip element 503 is then swung in a lateral manner, opposite the manner depicted in FIG. 5C, such that keeper element 502 is aligned with first opening 601. Grip element 503 is then released, such that keeper element 502 passes through first opening 601 and into cavity 130. When grip element 503 is released in this manner, spring 201 decompresses, thereby forcing cartridges 211-218 upward, such that uppermost cartridge 211 engages flanges 111-112. The resulting configuration is illustrated in FIG. 5F. At this time, gun magazine 500 has been successfully loaded and may be inserted into the magazine well of a corresponding gun.

Advantageously, pull element 501, keeper element 502, grip element 503, and connector element 504 have a light weight relative the other elements of gun magazine 500. Moreover, the portions of pull element 501 and grip element 503 that extend outside of magazine frame 101 during normal use of the gun are relatively unobtrusive. That is, these elements 501 and 503 dangle below the magazine end cap 120, typically out of the way of a person shooting a loaded gun.

Some additions to the simple structure of the present invention will now be described.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of connector element 504 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, connector element 504 includes linking elements 701 and 702. Linking element 701 is attached to the underside of magazine follower 205 by a connecting agent 703, such as solder, welding or an adhesive. Linking element 702 is attached to pull element 501 with a similar connecting agent. In the illustrated embodiment, linking elements 701-702 are circular metal links, thereby allowing pull element 501 to be easily moved laterally (see, FIG. 5C), without undue wear to connector element 504. In other embodiments, linking elements 701-702 can have different shapes and sizes and can be made of different material. For example, linking element 701 may be a D-shaped ring with the flat side of the ring attached to the underside of magazine follower 205. In another variation, linking element 702 is created by forming a loop at the end of pull element 501.

It is relatively easy and inexpensive to modify a conventional gun magazine (e.g., gun magazine 100) to create the gun magazine in accordance with the present invention (e.g., gun magazine 500). Steps for converting conventional gun magazine 100 to gun magazine 500 are set forth below.

First, magazine follower 205 and spring element 201 are removed from magazine frame 101 by removing magazine end cap 120 and magazine base 106. Alternately, magazine follower 205 and spring element 201 may be removed from the upper end of magazine frame 101 in a manner known to those of ordinary skill in the art. (Note that this alternative will be necessary when magazine base 106 is integrally formed with magazine frame 101.) opening 600 is then formed through magazine end cap 120 and magazine base 106 by drilling first opening 601, second opening 602, and forming slot 603 by cutting or filing between these openings 601-602. Magazine base 106 and magazine end cap 120 are subsequently re-attached to the bottom of magazine frame 101. Note that magazine base 106 need not be re-attached if the magazine base 106 is integrally formed with magazine frame 101.

Pull element 501 is attached to the bottom of the removed magazine follower 205 using one of the options described above. Keeper element 502 is attached to pull element 501, approximately one inch below the bottom of magazine follower 205, using one of the options described above. The precise location of keeper element 502 is selected such that keeper element 502 is able to engage the second opening 602 of magazine base 106 in the manner described above. Keeper element 502 can be attached to pull element 501 either before or after keeper element 502 is attached to magazine follower 205. Magazine follower 205 and spring element 201 are re-inserted into the top of magazine frame 101 in a manner known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Magazine follower 205 is positioned such that the unattached end of pull element 501 is threaded through the center of spring element 201 and through the opening 600 in magazine base 106 and magazine end cap 120. As a result, the unattached end of pull element 501 extends outside of magazine frame 101 through opening 600 in magazine base 106.

Pliers (or another suitable tool) are then used to grab the unattached end of pull element 501 that extends through opening 600. Pull element 501 is then pulled down until keeper element 502 extends through first opening 601. Keeper element 502 is then engaged with second opening 602, and pull element 501 is released, thereby holding spring element 201 in the compressed state. Grip element 503 is then attached to the unattached end of pull element 501, in the manner described above. In another embodiment, grip element 503 is attached to the unattached end of pull element 501 without extending pull element 501 and engaging keeper element 502 in second opening 602. The above-described fabrication process will require about five minutes of assembly time and less than $1 in material cost.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are right-side and back-side views, respectively, of gun magazine 800 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Gun magazine 800 (FIGS. 8A-8B) is similar to gun magazine 500 (FIGS. 5A-5F and 6). Thus, similar elements in FIGS. 8A-8B and FIGS. 5A-5F and 6 are labeled with similar reference numbers.

In addition to the above-described elements of gun magazine 500, gun magazine 800 includes a first rail 801, a second rail 802, a first catch spring 803, a second catch spring 804, and a circular opening 805 formed in back sidewall 104 of magazine frame 101. First rail 801 is formed on the interior surface of sidewall 102 (within cavity 130). Similarly, second rail 802 is formed on the interior surface of sidewall 103 (within cavity 130). First and second rails 801-802 are dimensioned to receive the cartridge rims located at the ends of cartridges 911-918. In one embodiment, first and second rails 801-802 have a triangular cross section, with a vertex of the triangle pointing into the cavity 130. Each of the cartridge rims defines an adjacent recessed region. For example, cartridge rim 909 defines a recessed region 910 at the end of cartridge 911. FIG. 9 is a side view of cartridge 911, which clearly shows cartridge rim 909 and recessed region 910.

Catch springs 803 and 804 extend upward from rails 801 and 802, respectively. Catch springs 803-804 are positioned adjacent to opening 805. As described in more detail below, rails 801-802 and catch springs 803-804 facilitate the proper alignment of cartridges within cavity 130 during the loading operation.

Gun magazine 800 is loaded in the following manner. First, magazine follower 205 is locked down in the position illustrated by FIGS. 5D-5E. Note that a pair of grooves (not shown) must be formed in the sides of magazine follower 205 at locations associated with rails 801-802 and catch springs 803-804 in order to allow magazine follower 205 to move up and down within cavity 130. Cartridges 911-918 are then inserted one at a time into opening 805. Each of cartridges 911-918 is inserted bullet-end first, such that the cartridge rim enters cavity 130 last. When a cartridge has been inserted entirely into cavity 130, catch springs 803 and 804 engage the rim of the cartridge and guide the cartridge down into chamber 130. Catch springs 803 and 804 guide the recessed region of the cartridge onto rails 801 and 802, respectively. At this time, the cartridge falls down into cavity 130, onto magazine follower 205 (or the previously-loaded cartridge). Because the cartridge rim and recessed region of the cartridge are engaged with rails 801 and 802, the cartridge is necessarily properly aligned within chamber 130. In some embodiments, the last cartridge may be loaded into the top of cavity 130, rather than through opening 805. After cartridges 911-918 have been loaded into cavity 130, keeper element 502 is disengaged from opening 602 and released over opening 601, such that magazine follower 205 forces the cartridges 911-918 up into engagement with flanges 111 and 112 as illustrated in FIG. 8A.

Note that rails 801-802 and catch springs 803-804 are positioned such that the cartridge rim (e.g., cartridge rim 209) of the uppermost cartridge (e.g., cartridge 911) in cavity 130 is no longer engaged by rails 801-802 or catch springs 803-804. This enables the uppermost cartridge to be readily loaded from gun magazine 800 to the chamber of a gun. Also note that catch springs 803 and 804 are relatively weak springs which enable cartridges 911-918 to be inserted through opening 805 and also allow cartridges 911-918 to be moved easily upward in response to the force applied by spring 201. Catch springs 803-804 also readily allow the passage of magazine follower 205.

In the illustrated embodiment, first and second rails 801-802 are formed along a straight line. However, in other embodiments, first and second rails 801-802 may be slightly non-linear to facilitate the movement of cartridges 911-918 within cavity 130. In addition, although two rails 801-802 have been described in the present example, other embodiments may use only one rail. Other embodiments may also omit one or both catch springs 803-804.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with several embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed but is capable of various modifications which would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, although magazine base 106 and magazine end cap 120 are referred to as separate elements, these elements can be combined in a single element that may be referred to as a magazine base. Thus, the present invention is only limited by the following claims. 

1. A gun magazine comprising: a magazine frame having a cavity configured to receive a plurality of cartridges at a first end; a magazine base located at a second end of the magazine frame, opposite the first end of the magazine frame; a magazine follower located inside the cavity of the magazine frame; a spring element configured to engage the magazine base and the magazine follower, wherein the spring element forces the magazine follower toward the first end of the magazine frame; a pull element coupled to the magazine follower and extending through an opening in the magazine base; and one and only one keeper element located at an intermediate location of the pull element, wherein the keeper element is sized to pass through a first portion of the opening in the magazine base but not through a second portion of the opening in the magazine base.
 2. The gun magazine of claim 1, further comprising a grip element coupled to the pull element, wherein the grip element is located outside of the cavity.
 3. The gun magazine of claim 2, wherein the grip element comprises an opening for receiving a finger.
 4. The gun magazine of claim 3, wherein the grip element is a circular ring.
 5. The gun magazine of claim 3, wherein the grip element is a D-shaped ring.
 6. The gun magazine of claim 2, wherein the grip element comprises a 3-dimensional element that can be readily grasped by a human hand.
 7. The gun magazine of claim 6, wherein grip element comprises a rod, a block or a sphere.
 8. The gun magazine of claim 2, wherein the grip element is larger than the opening in the magazine base.
 9. (canceled)
 10. The gun magazine of claim 1, wherein the keeper element comprises a bead attached to the intermediate location of the pull element.
 11. The gun magazine of claim 10, wherein the bead is spherical.
 12. (canceled)
 13. The gun magazine of claim 1, wherein the pull element is directly attached to the magazine follower.
 14. The gun magazine of claim 1, wherein the pull element is coupled to the magazine follower by linking elements.
 15. The gun magazine of claim 14, wherein the linking elements comprise: a first link attached to the magazine follower; and a second link attached to the pull element and coupled to the first link.
 16. The gun magazine of claim 15, wherein the first link and the second link comprise circular links.
 17. The gun magazine of claim 1, wherein the spring element comprises a coiled spring, and the pull element extends through a centrally-located region of the coiled spring.
 18. The gun magazine of claim 1, wherein the magazine frame comprises sidewalls that define a portion of the cavity, the magazine frame further comprising one or more rails located along the sidewalls inside the cavity, wherein the one or more rails are configured to guide cartridges into the cavity in a preferred alignment.
 19. The gun magazine of claim 18, further comprising one or more springs coupled to the magazine frame and located adjacent to the one or more rails, wherein the one or more springs are positioned to engage cartridges loaded into the cavity.
 20. The gun magazine of claim 19, wherein the magazine frame further comprises a back wall that joins the sidewalls of the magazine frame, wherein the back wall includes an opening for receiving cartridges to be loaded into the cavity.
 21. A method of loading a gun magazine comprising: moving a magazine follower from a first end of a magazine frame toward a second end of the magazine frame, thereby increasing the compression of a spring located between the second end of the magazine frame and the magazine follower; mechanically holding the magazine follower near the second end of the magazine frame by engaging a keeper element at the second end of the magazine frame, thereby defining a cavity over the magazine follower; loading one or more cartridges into the cavity over the magazine follower, while the magazine follower is mechanically held near the second end of the magazine frame; and then releasing the magazine follower, such that the spring forces the one or more cartridges into engagement with flanges at the first end of the magazine frame, and such that the keeper element is located entirely within the magazine frame.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of moving the magazine follower comprises exerting a force on a pull element that is coupled to the magazine follower and extends through the second end of the magazine frame.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the step of mechanically holding the magazine follower comprises latching the keeper element, which is coupled to the pull element, in an opening in the second end of the magazine frame.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of loading the one or more cartridges into the cavity comprises inserting the one or more cartridges through a circular opening near the first end of the magazine frame.
 25. The method of claim 21, further comprising guiding the one or more cartridges into the cavity along rails located on the magazine frame.
 26. The method of claim 21, further comprising receiving the one or more cartridges into the cavity with the assistance of springs coupled to the magazine frame.
 27. A gun magazine comprising: a magazine frame having an opening at a first end and a base at a second end; a magazine follower located in the magazine frame; a spring located between the magazine follower and the base of the magazine frame; means for moving the magazine follower from the first end of a magazine frame toward the second end of the magazine frame, thereby increasing the compression of the spring; means for mechanically holding the magazine follower near the second end of the magazine frame, thereby defining a cavity over the magazine frame; and means for releasing the magazine follower, such that the spring forces the magazine follower toward the first end of the magazine frame, such that the means for mechanically holding the magazine follower are located entirely within the magazine frame.
 28. A method of modifying a gun magazine having a magazine frame, a magazine follower located in the magazine frame, magazine base attached to the magazine frame and a spring element located between the magazine follower and the magazine base, the method comprising: removing the magazine follower from the magazine frame; forming an opening through the magazine base; attaching a first end of a pull element to the removed magazine follower; attaching one and only one keeper element to an intermediate location of the pull element; replacing the magazine follower with the attached pull element and keeper element in the magazine frame such that a second end of the pull element extends through the opening in the magazine base.
 29. The method of claim 28, further comprising attaching a grip element to the second end of the pull element.
 30. A gun magazine modification kit having component parts capable of being assembled with a gun magazine having a magazine frame, a magazine follower located in the magazine frame, magazine base attached to the magazine frame and a spring element located between the magazine follower and the magazine base, the kit comprising the combination of: a pull element having a first end adapted to be coupled to the magazine follower and a second end adapted to extend through an opening in the magazine base; one and only one a keeper element adapted to be coupled to an intermediate location of the pull element, between the first end and the second end; and a grip element adapted to be coupled to the second end of the pull element, outside of the magazine frame.
 31. The gun magazine of claim 1, wherein the intermediate location is located such the one and only one keeper element is located inside the magazine when the pull element is released and the keeper element is not engaged with the second portion of the opening in the magazine base.
 32. A gun magazine comprising: a magazine frame having a cavity configured to receive a plurality of cartridges at a first end; a magazine base located at a second end of the magazine frame, opposite the first end of the magazine frame; a magazine follower located inside the cavity of the magazine frame; a spring element configured to engage the magazine base and the magazine follower, wherein the spring element forces the magazine follower toward the first end of the magazine frame; a pull element having a first end coupled to the magazine follower and a second end extending through an opening in the magazine base; and a keeper element attached to an intermediate location of the pull element, nearer to the first end of the pull element than the second end of the pull element, wherein the keeper element is sized to engage the opening in the magazine base, and wherein the pull element is smooth from the keeper element to the second end. 